Qingshan Academy was under the jurisdiction of the Wanping County yamen, while Song Qi’s home was in Daxing County.
Both county seats lay near the capital.
People often spoke of the capital’s incomparable prosperity, yet Murong Yun had never once set foot there.
Beyond the capital, there was another world entirely.
The development of Wanping and Daxing Counties was fairly ordinary. Most people in Wanping relied on farming for a living, while the people of Daxing made their livelihoods through fishing and going out to sea.
The two counties surrounded the capital, and by coincidence, Qingshan Academy stood close to the border between them.
Master Xu took a sip of tea. Before long, he was sighing again.
Seeing this, Wang Hongyi asked, “If you keep sighing like that, you’ll scare away all your good fortune. What could possibly trouble you this much?”
“That child, Song Qi… what a pity…” Master Xu lamented. “He was such a cheerful and innocent boy, yet he was murdered by enemies over a few fish and shrimp. Was it really worth taking a life over such things?”
After Shangguan Xuan and Murong Yun had explained everything to him, he had struggled to believe it.
Even after reporting the matter to the authorities, Daxing County’s yamen had done absolutely nothing. With a casual remark that “civilian disputes happen all the time,” they had brushed the entire matter aside.
“It’s a pity that we’re only teachers,” Master Wang said helplessly as he shook his head. “Even if we wanted to petition for justice, who would pay attention to us? If Scholar Zhao were here, things might be different.”
By the time they entered the classroom, the morning bell had already rung.
“Where are Murong and Shangguan? Where did they go?”
The others shook their heads. Yu Ziyang, who was relatively close to them, spoke up instead.
“Master, they went down the mountain to browse the marketplace. After the examinations, they wanted to relax a little.”
“Nonsense!” Master Xu exploded, his beard practically standing on end.
Previously, Murong had been the only one who never behaved properly, always carefree and unreliable. He had thought that after experiencing Song Qi’s death, Murong might mature somewhat. Who could have expected her to drag Shangguan Xuan into mischief as well?
In the back mountain of Qingshan Academy, Shangguan Xuan held a box containing neatly folded black garments for Murong Yun to examine.
These had belonged to the four assassins.
“What is this?”
She picked up a button-like object made of metal.
“This is a copper clasp. Normally it’s decorative, but assassins and shadow guards also use them to identify one another,” Shangguan Xuan explained as he rubbed away the dried bloodstains.
Along the edge of the copper clasp were faint, blurry characters.
Murong Yun studied it for a long while but still could not decipher them.
She examined it repeatedly, yet remained unable to recognize the writing.
The system suddenly appeared, as ill-timed as ever.
[Host may obtain A Historical Record of Daying Calligraphy by catching two fish by the river.]
Murong Yun closed her eyes and considered whether she should accept.
Shangguan Xuan frowned, concern evident in his voice.
“Of the four assassins, the other three were relatively weak, but their leader was exceptionally skilled. Even if we had captured them alive, they carried poison that could kill instantly upon ingestion.
“Their fighting styles were inconsistent, which means someone deliberately mixed them together to confuse any investigation.
“The other assassins carried nothing besides their clothing.
“Only one of them had this copper clasp, probably brought along by accident.
“This is our only clue at present.
“Whoever orchestrated all this acted with extreme caution. Even if we uncover this person’s identity, we still may not be able to avenge Song Qi.”
Murong Yun looked up at him.
“Are you afraid?”
“I’m not.”
But I am afraid you’ll die.
The faint worry in Shangguan Xuan’s eyes could not be hidden.
Murong Yun patted him on the shoulder.
Bloodshot veins filled her eyes. Ever since her arm had mostly healed, she had spent night after night poring over the martial arts manuals they had managed to obtain. She had never allowed Shangguan Xuan to change the dressing over the wound on her chest, and even now he had no idea how well it had healed.
Perhaps Song Qi’s death had devastated her too deeply. During these days, Murong had been relentless toward herself, refusing to rest. She slept only two hours each day, rising before dawn to practice martial arts in the deserted corners of the academy.
Yet the results were minimal, which only deepened Shangguan Xuan’s concern.
“Are there fish in the reed lake where you and Song Qi used to bathe?” Murong Yun asked after some thought, ultimately deciding to follow the system’s instructions.
“No! Song Qi caught all the fish there and sold them.
“Back then, before bathing, he always caught fish to earn a little silver for his family. Whatever remained, he said he would treat us to something delicious.”
As Shangguan Xuan spoke, he turned his head away, revealing the small mole on his neck.
Murong Yun reached out and lightly touched it.
It wasn’t raised at all.
The tiny black mole sitting beneath his ear looked unexpectedly adorable.
Shangguan Xuan froze as if struck by lightning. Goosebumps spread across his skin as he stared at Murong Yun in shock.
“Sorry,” Murong Yun said hastily. “I just found it interesting.”
Realizing her impropriety, she quickly turned and walked away.
Shangguan Xuan remained standing there, staring blankly at Murong Yun’s retreating figure.
Had he just been flirted with by another man?
It was surprisingly difficult to find a decent river in Wanping County.
“Fishing?” Shangguan Xuan asked in confusion after hearing Murong Yun’s suggestion. “What does Song Qi have to do with fishing?”
“I suddenly had the urge to fish,” Murong Yun replied guiltily.
“…”
“Do you know how to fish?” Shangguan Xuan had never fished before, but fishing required patience and tranquility. The fact that Murong Yun had such a hobby was astonishing enough.
“Of course… I don’t!” Murong Yun said with an awkward smile.
Since Murong had proposed it, Shangguan Xuan agreed to help search for a suitable river.
As they passed Granny Wei’s house, they stopped by to check on her.
“I know of a river. The water flows over from Daxing County, though it’s hidden deep in the mountains and difficult to find.”
Granny Wei served them tea as she spoke.
“This is made from roasted barley after the husks are removed. It makes wonderfully fragrant tea.”
Murong Yun was very familiar with barley tea. Many restaurants in the modern world served it to guests because of its pleasant aroma and ability to cut through greasiness.
“Granny Wei, how are your fields doing?”
“The seedlings have already been planted!” Granny Wei smiled, the wrinkles on her face bunching together, though her expression remained warm and kind. “The county yamen even sends people from time to time to check on me. They’re worried nearby villagers might become jealous and stir up trouble.
“They’re especially afraid the three of you will come looking for trouble. They’re terrified of that!” Granny Wei said cheerfully.
“Oh, where’s that other young master Song?”
Shangguan Xuan, who had been sweeping her courtyard, paused.
“Song Qi went home.”
“Going home is good. Children should visit their parents often. Some parents may nag endlessly, but deep down, they miss their children terribly.”
This time, Granny Wei spoke of children with unmistakable joy.
If her son were watching from heaven, he would surely be happy for her as well.
Murong Yun said, “Your crops still need tending. Why don’t you draw us a map, Granny Wei, and let us find the place ourselves?”
She did not want Granny Wei involved. If they encountered danger, the old woman would be an innocent victim.
“…Very well.”
Granny Wei had no paper at home and could only find a relatively clean piece of cloth.
Fortunately, it was intact enough to draw a clear map.
By noon, the clouds had vanished, allowing the sun to shine brightly upon the earth.
“Shopkeeper, how much is this fishing rod?” Murong Yun asked as she browsed through the selection.
The rods were all made of wood. Some were flimsy and seemed suitable only for catching small fish, more like toys for children.
Several children nearby tugged on their parents’ sleeves, begging for fishing rods of their own.
“Young masters, this one costs ten taels,” the shopkeeper said hesitantly after seeing their simple attire.
“Ten taels?”
Murong Yun nearly jumped. “Do you take us for fools waiting to be fleeced?”
Only after spending all her money had Murong Yun truly understood the value of Daying’s currency.
One copper coin was roughly equivalent to one yuan in the modern world, while an ordinary steamed bun cost three copper coins.
One tael was worth about one hundred yuan.
Ten taels amounted to a thousand yuan.
With that calculation, she finally understood why Song Qi had been so shocked by a roast duck costing five taels.
She could not even sympathize with her past self anymore.
She was astonished by herself as well.
“Then… Young master, why don’t you name your price?” The shopkeeper wiped away his sweat.
The young man before him looked refined and clever.
But the person standing behind him wore such a gloomy expression that he looked ready to smash the shop apart. He likely knew martial arts.
Murong Yun turned back and looked apologetically at Shangguan Xuan.
“I’ll just catch fish with my bare hands instead. We don’t need the fishing rod.”
It was too expensive.
Shangguan Xuan ate vegetables and steamed buns every day and did not possess an ounce of extra flesh.
Where would he find such money?
“We’ll buy it for three taels,” Shangguan Xuan said as he examined the rod’s quality. “It’s made from ordinary hardwood, not expensive materials like agarwood or sandalwood. You’ll still profit at three taels.”
The shopkeeper stood frozen.
Not only did this man know martial arts, he was apparently knowledgeable as well.
“H… here you go.”
Shangguan Xuan opened his purse and peered inside. His fingers lingered there for a long moment before emerging.
“If you don’t have enough silver, forget it,” Murong Yun said as she lowered her head to search through her pouch.
“Here.”
Shangguan Xuan produced a handful of broken silver.
The shopkeeper counted frantically.
There were only two taels and eight mace.
“Is it enough?” Shangguan Xuan’s voice, cold as an ice cellar, drifted into the shopkeeper’s ears.
Lowering his head, the shopkeeper noticed that Shangguan Xuan’s fists had clenched tightly.
“Enough! More than enough! Thank you, honored guests! Please come again!”
The shopkeeper bowed repeatedly with a broad smile.
He thought to himself that they had better never return.
The morning dew in the mountains had yet to evaporate, leaving Murong Yun’s and Shangguan Xuan’s clothing damp around the hems.
“How are you so familiar with fishing rod materials?” Murong Yun asked in amazement.
“I was just bluffing the shopkeeper. Who knew he’d actually panic?” Shangguan Xuan replied calmly before asking in return, “Shouldn’t you be familiar with them? There ought to be many lakes in Jiangnan.”
“I only know how to fish. The rods all belonged to my elders. I simply borrowed them whenever I wanted,” Murong Yun answered, avoiding his gaze.
The sound of rushing water signaled that they were close.
They quickened their pace and finally found the river.
Its upper reaches flowed rapidly, while the lower sections moved more gently.
Murong Yun walked downstream and cast the fishing line.
The river was clear, though deep. Only the occasional shadow of fish could be seen beneath the surface.
The two of them sat on rocks by the shore, waiting silently for a bite.
Neither dared speak for fear of scaring the fish away.
In truth, Murong Yun had no idea how to fish.
She had only recently learned how to swim.
After sitting for a long while, her backside had gone numb.
The fishing rod in Murong Yun’s hands remained completely motionless.
“…”
Shangguan Xuan shifted closer and leaned toward her ear.
“Would you like me to try?”
Whenever Shangguan Xuan drew near, Murong Yun could catch a faint fragrance from him.
A man smelling this pleasant… Wasn’t that dangerous?
Murong Yun’s ears turned red.
Abstain from desire. Form is emptiness…
Murong Yun nodded and handed him the fishing rod.
Using a sharp stone, Shangguan Xuan dug into the damp soil along the riverbank.
To their surprise, he unearthed two wriggling earthworms.
The sight of them squirming from both ends of their segmented bodies made Murong Yun jump.
She was afraid of creatures that wriggled like that.
Quietly gritting her teeth, she took two steps backward, unwilling to touch them.
Shangguan Xuan sliced one worm apart with the stone and threaded a small piece onto the hook. He propped the rod up with another stone before washing his hands in the river.
Not long afterward, fish shadows truly began darting beneath the water’s surface.
The rod trembled slightly, and Shangguan Xuan immediately grabbed it.
Sure enough, he had caught a fish.
Since they had brought no basket, Shangguan Xuan was considering whether to tear a strip from some coarse cloth to tie the fish.
Instead, Murong Yun excitedly picked up a stone and smashed it onto the fish’s head.
The fish was knocked unconscious.
“…”
It was obvious that Murong Yun was quite familiar with killing fish. She had likely eaten fish frequently in the past.
“One fish isn’t enough for a meal. We need another,” Murong Yun said with a grin.
Using the same method, Shangguan Xuan soon caught a second fish.
Murong Yun gathered some tough wild grass and threaded it through the fishes’ gills before carrying them home.
“Shangguan…”
Murong Yun stared at the river ahead as she slowly moved toward it.
“Is that… a human body floating over there?”